#GoLongBeach City Newsletter

#GOLONGBEACH

Welcome to our City Newsletter!

Greetings!

Now that the summer is in full swing things are definitely heating up in Long Beach with a lineup of fun events and activities for the entire family. Everything from the upcoming third annual summer street art festival, POW! WOW! Long Beach, to enjoying some music from Long Beach's Municipal Band under the stars at our local parks.

There is much to report on starting with the Long Beach Police Deparment deploying more police officers to patrol the Blue Line to increase safety for riders. Also, just hot off the press the International Olympic Committee recently approved both Los Angeles and Paris to help host the Summer Olympics, which will include events in Long Beach.

The results of the City's Independence Day #FireworksFreeLB awareness campaign and public outreach are also out which reminded residents -- all fireworks are illegal in the City. Approximately 7,000 pounds of fireworks were seized citywide during enforcement efforts for the Fourth of July holiday representing a 1,300% increase over 2016, no serious injuries were reported, 40 arrests were made and more.

Also, learn about more exciting news and events like the the release of a new Long Beach water quality report and a listing of films shown at this year's "Movies in the Park" series.

Scroll down to find out more!

Long Beach Police Department

Begins Patrolling Blue Line Stations

On Thursday, June 29, Mayor Robert Garcia and Police Chief Robert Luna spoke at a press conference held at the Metro Blue Line Willow Station to announce new multi-agency Metro Rail security presence including LBPD, Sheriff’s Department and LAPD.

Summer Olympic Events

Officially Coming to Long Beach!

Both Los Angeles and Paris Will Join London as the Only Cities to Host Three Summer Games

On Tuesday, July 11, the International Olympic Committee unanimously approved both the 2024 and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games this year, a move that guarantees that both L.A. and Paris will join London as the only cities to host three Summer Games. Long Beach would be hosting high-profile events. Read more

Independence Day Fireworks Enforcement Nets 7,000 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks

The City of Long Beach Police Department seized approximately 7,000 pounds of fireworks citywide during enforcement efforts for the Independence Day holiday representing a 1,300% increase over 2016, in which approximately 500 pounds were seized. Some other highlights include from July 1 through July 4 LBPD and LBFD enforcement resulted in 40 felony and misdemeanor arrests and 46 fireworks and misdemeanor citations, Marine Safety personnel reunited 55 lost children with parents, and responded to 287 swim rescues.

Long Beach City Honored

with Multiple Awards

The City of Long Beach Receives a Los Angeles Business Council Architectural Award for Civic Center

Los Angeles Business Council Architectural annually honors the contributions of teams of architects, contractors, and developers in creating and implementing outstanding building projects in the Los Angeles region. This year
Long Beach Civic Center was honored for design innovation Read more

City of Long Beach Wins Four Prestigious American Planning Association Awards

The City of Long Beach received four awards by the Los Angeles section of the American Planning Association (APA), including a Transportation Planning Award of Excellence. The annual awards, presented on Thursday, June 22, recognized exceptional planning achievements by individuals, cities, agencies, non-profits, and businesses in the Los Angeles region. Read more

POW! WOW! Long Beach is Back

The third annual street art festival, POW! WOW! Long Beach, is returning with some of the best-known artist and muralist to beautify our city with amazing art throughout Long Beach. Buildings in different parts of the city will be painted with an eclectic mix of murals. The festival begins this Sunday, 7/16 to Friday, 7/21.

For Almost 50 Years Long Beach Junior Guard Program Continues to Train Youth

Since 1969 the Long Beach Junior Guard training program managed by the Marine Safety Division of the Long Beach Fire Department has prepared youth for ocean lifeguarding. This year, the Junior Guard program runs from June 26 to Aug. 4 with 650 9- to 17-year-olds enrolled.

First Steps Begin to Make V.I.P. World Famous Sign an Official Local Historic Landmark

Kelvin Anderson Sr., founder of VIP Records, has submitted the application to seek landmark status for the iconic sign. Over the past few months, Mayor Garcia and Councilmember Andrews have been working with Anderson to preserve the VIP Records sign situated on the roof of the now shuttered business. VIP records is perhaps the most famous record store in hip-hop history, giving rise to performers such as Long Beach native, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, and Warren G.

Stay Cool, Hydrated and Informed

for a Safe and Healthy Summer

Summer is here and high temperatures are predicted in the forecast. Learn about the precautions to take to #BeatTheHeat and how to better prepare for a safe and healthy summer in Long Beach.

Take a Look at the 2017

Homeless Count Fact Sheets

Find Out What This Year's Homeless Count Data Reveals

The Fact Sheet contains data from the 2017 Point in Time Count that includes demographics, and the number of individuals and families who are sheltered and un-sheltered, veterans, and people who are experiencing chronic homelessness. Additional information was collected on subpopulations of people who reported being students, LGBTQ, former foster care youth and disabled. The fact sheet also provides trend data demonstrating the ongoing reduction in homelessness in Long Beach, as well as the shift in distribution across the City over the past six years.

Learn more

Announcements

The Long Beach 2016 Water Quality Report is now online! The report provides info on how well the City's drinking water meets and exceeds water quality regulations. Click here to read more about what our Long Beach Water department does to safeguard your drinking water click below.

Keep your children busy this summer with our Long Beach Public Library Summer Reading program. Readers of all ages are invited to join! Sign up, track your progress and earn rewards at any of our 12 city library locations. Click here and watch the video below for more information.

iClip - Long Beach Public Library Summer Reading 2017

Enjoy movies in the park now until August with our S.A.F.E. program! Below is a list of movies playing this summer. Click here for a full list at of all movies showing at several parks.

Help the Long Beach Public Health and Human Services Department by reporting day bitting mosquitoes to keep #LBZikaFree! Click here to learn more about Zika and how to protect yourself.